Emotional Lessons
Trixie was so annoyed right now. All she wanted to do was hang out with her girlfriend but instead she was busy freaking out over planning the school dance for Twilight’s school of friendship and it’s taken almost all her attention.
“Starliiiiiiight,” Trixie whined as she continued walking along the streets of Ponyville with her friend who was overlooking a scroll, “You’ve been stressing over that stupid school dance for a week now. When are you gonna help me with my magic?”
“I told you Trixie, this dance is for Twilight’s school so she can help her students socialize more and it’s really important to her so I want to help as much as I can.” Starlight sighed in remorse that she was letting down her girlfriend.
“Twilight this, Twilight that. Y’know Trixie sometimes needs you too.” Trixie scoffed in annoyance which began to offend Starlight.
“Trixie, I’m sorry. I love you, but I can’t help you get better at magic all the time but Twilight’s my friend too and I care about how the business I’m working in is doing.” Starlight spoke, getting more annoyed with Trixie’s dramatics.
“You’re such a stick in the mud.” Trixie grumbled, “You act as if Twilight’s school will collapse without you.”
“It’s not like that, I’m just worried about things will go and if the reputation of the school will become tarnished if we don’t do our jobs well. I just feel in my heart that it’s best that I help my friend.” Starlight began narrowing her eyes and spoke again.
“Ugh, here you go again with the worrying and the over-exaggerations. Honestly Starlight, you’ve become so boring after we’ve started dating.” Trixie scoffed which caused Starlight to widen her eyes before she glared at Trixie.
“You clearly don’t understand about how I’m feeling whatsoever, I’ll see you later Trix.” Starlight sighed solemnly before walking a faster pace to get away from the stage magician who looked away sadly once she realize that she had hurt her lover’s feelings.
Trixie thought that she may have been too harsh in her argument with Starlight as she headed back to her wagon she resided in.
“Maybe I should’ve been a bit nicer but Starlight can be such a stress case at times. I wish she could be less emotional.” Trixie sighed before getting inside her wagon and plopping herself in her hammock so she could go to sleep.
Trixie woke up and found herself floating in the starry sky much to her surprise and joy.
“Ooh, it’s like I’m an angel in the dark night.” Trixie giggled enthusiastically before a familiar voice was heard, “Yes, quite the spectacle isn’t it?”
Suddenly, Discord came flying by in a black hat, a red scarf, and holding an open umbrella.
“Discord, what are you doing here?” Trixie asked incredulously.
“Well that’s not the polite way to greet your friend.” Discord rolled his eyes, clearly upset by how Trixie was acting, “I’m merely here to show you the effects of your wish.”
“You heard that?!” Trixie spoke with surprise before realizing who she was talking to, “Oh let me guess, you were spying on us.”
“No, I was just sleeping on a cloud and overheard your argument with Starlight.” Discord said stone-faced, “Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time we see what has become of Starlight.”
“Ugh, can we not?” Trixie gagged.
“I’m afraid we must. Now come with me and I will show you how the world is like with the changes YOU wanted.” Discord glared at the stage magician, getting sick of her attitude.
Discord then snapped his fingers and transported them to the throne room of Canterlot where Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and Cadence were all towering in front powerless Chrysalis who had her horn clamped by an anti-magic ring. Twilight’s friends and Starlight were standing behind some guards.
“Where are we?” Trixie whispered to Discord.
“You don’t need to whisper, no one can see or hear us.” Discord quickly told the silver maned mare, “We’re in a timeline where Starlight had repressed her emotional side ever since she reformed. Because of this, she led a resistance against the Changelings and was able to lure Chrysalis and the Changelings away from the Hive and destroy the anti-magic throne to save Equestria. Right now, the princesses are sentencing Chrysalis to life in Tartarus.”
“W-Wait really? That’s great. Where are the rest of the Changelings?” Trixie beamed with pride at what her friend accomplished.
“The Canterlot Dungeons.” Discord replied stoically which caused Trixie to gape in shock.
“What?! But they were clear victims of Chrysalis’ tyranny!” Trixie protested in clear agitation.
“Starlight never got to figure that out, she was too busy trying to find ways to stop Chrysalis from taking over Equestria instead of saving her friends. For all Equestria knew, the Changelings willingly followed Chrysalis without question. Only a few were lucky enough to see the power of friendship.” Discord explained solemnly.
“What about Thorax and Pharynx?” Trixie stammered.
Discord just snapped his fingers and they stood at the cell where Thorax was trying to talk to his brother.
“Pharynx, please. I’ve seen how giving love instead of feeding on it works, and it’s glorious.” Thorax pleaded with his brother, who was in his blackened form instead of his purple one, “I no longer need to feed if we befriend others and now I’m happier. Just please reconsider-“
“No! I can never share love with those pathetic ponies who offer me NOTHING.” Pharynx cried out furiously, “They’ve never done anything for us so why should we do anything for them?!”
“Pharynx, please. They aren’t that ba-“ Thorax began before Pharynx stopped him from speaking.
“Oh shut up!” Pharynx cried out, “I’m so disappointed in you Thorax. You could’ve been much more than this, but now all you’ve become is an embarrassment.”
Thorax said nothing but left the room in tears, while Pharynx turned away, trying to mask his own sadness.
Trixie couldn’t believe her own eyes, she understood what this meant. If Starlight hadn’t tried so much about helping the Changelings find a new way, most of them wouldn’t reform and Thorax and Pharynx would never grow their bond ever again. And all because Starlight listened to her mind instead of her emotions.
“This isn’t the only time this has happened, when the Pillars came back to Equestria, Starlight kept her mouth shut when wondering how to deal with Stygian and then the Elements Of Harmony were also lost as well.” Discord told the shooken mare.
“Wait, WHAT?!” Trixie gasped in horror.
Discord then snapped his fingers once again and they teleported to the map room where the Mane Six, Pillars, Spike, and Starlight were all talking.
“I will make notes on this spell. Ready yourselves for battle.” Starswirl spoke confidently.
“Uh, I know I’m not as experienced as all of you but is banishment really the only option?” Starlight asked curiously, “It’s been a long time; maybe the Pony Of Shadows is ready to talk.”
“I doubt we can save our homeland with a conversation.” Starswirl replied sternly which caused Starlight to shrink back before sighing.
“Yeah… I just thought maybe there was a way to keep the Elements…” Starlight began before Starswirl scoffed.
“Please. The Pony Of Shadows was never interested in reconciliation. Once a villain, always a villain.” Starswirl scoffed before walking off.
Starlight just began tearing up before shaking it off, and hardening a glare at the wizard before walking off.
“Starlight, are you alright?” Twilight asked in concern.
“Oh I’m fine. Just try and find a way to save Equestria, I’m not exactly any help right now.” Starlight chuckled weakly before walking off causing Trixie to look in bewilderment and sadness at the scene.
“Wait, what’s going on?! Why didn’t Starlight stand up for herself?!” Trixie asked, in clear confusion and anger that her friend would stand for the disrespect she was given.
“She didn’t want Twilight to look bad. She may have repressed her emotions at times, but she still sees Twilight as her best friend.” Discord explained which caused Trixie to come to a horrifying realization.
“Oh goodness. Starlight repressing her emotions would just give her more opportunities to get stepped on and hurt by others.” Trixie began pacing at the horror of the situation, “She can’t go on like this.”
“Why?” Discord said firmly, “This is your wish Trixie, I thought you wanted her to be less emotional.”
“No, I-I just wanted her to stop stressing herself out, not ruin her whole life. I can’t let this happen.” Trixie spoke with full regret and remorse for her actions before begging with tears in her eyes, “Please Discord, I want to unwish my wish. I don’t want Starlight to go through this type of pain!”
Discord smiled and wiped the tears off Trixie’s eyes, “Don’t worry. I was just showing you the worst that could happen from your wish.”
“So… this wouldn’t have happened?” Trixie said warily.
“Well maybe it could, Starlight would probably still go through some more turmoil than she needs to, but I had to show the basics of what could be caused by your careless beliefs. The only way you were going to learn your lesson is if you saw the worst possible way it could’ve gone wrong.” Discord explained.
“I understand.” Trixie smiled brightly before saying, “Take me back home. I need to apologize to a certain somepony.”
Discord smirked before snapping his fingers and a white flash enveloped Trixie’s vision.
Trixie woke up with a start, and found herself in her hammock, “D-Did it work?”
She then walked out of her wagon, covering her eyes from the sunlight and to the direction of Twilight’s castle, before going right behind the crystal structure. Starlight didn’t tell most ponies, but she usually went to one place when she was really upset.
She then saw Starlight looking at the lake on the grassy field and her reflection let Starlight know she was there.
“Oh, what do you want?” Starlight scoffed angrily, “To yell at me and tell me how much of a stickler I am-“
Trixie didn’t give Starlight a chance to finish before kissing her on the lips, this surprised Starlight but she kissed back with a blush on her face.
“W-Was that just to shut me up?” Starlight blushed furiously as she glared at Trixie.
“No, I had a dream last night and… it made me realize how wrong I was to treat you the way I did.” Trixie explained solemnly, “Starlight, you’re perfect the way you are and I’m sorry I called you boring. I just wanted you to stop stressing out.”
Starlight smiled before she tackled Trixie into a hug and kissed her again.
“Does that mean I’m forgiven?” Trixie smiled hopefully once Starlight released her from the kiss.
“Of course, and you’re right. Maybe I do worry too much sometimes. I’ll still be there for Twilight if she needs me but I do need to have a limit.” Starlight smiled back at the showmare.
Trixie embraced Starlight who returned it, and in the moment, they didn’t notice Discord hovering above the clouds with a smile. He was glad to see that Trixie learned how listening to emotions can be just as important as listening to your brain.